John Hannah spoke to itv.com about reprising his role as Jake in the new series of Cold Blood
How has Jake progressed since the first episode of Cold Blood?
One of the things I liked about the script and have continued to like about it is that it moves quite slowly for Jake. Jake’s relationship with Eve is complicated.
I think that’s partly reflected in the fact that he’s not had a relationship with a woman since he killed his wife and her lover, so even if you took away the complications of Wicklow and Jake’s past it would still be a slow progression for him and I think that’s right given the pace of the thriller. It’s important that we can still keep the personal side of things very believable and very real.
Do you think Jake seems quite tentative and cautious in the way he runs his life?
He’s uncertain of himself and he’s uncertain about who else he’s going to be bringing into that circle. He doesn’t commit to anything easily, and that’s reflected in his relationship with himself and the way he lives on his own, his relationship with his mother and his relationship with his displaced son. I found that very interesting territory as an actor.
In previous episodes, Jake has been reluctant to help with the investigations as they serve as a reminder of his past. Does Jake still feel that distrust in himself?
Yes, but he’s slowly overcoming it. I think he feels as long as he’s on his own and not in relations with anyone then he’s fine. There’s a sense of usefulness that he’s garnered from his involvement in the cases. Jake’s journey of self discovery was a serious affair whilst in prison and that was why he was able to be useful on these other cases. This sense of usefulness allows him to find a way of co-existing, and that’s quite a positive thing.
How does Jake feel about Wicklow suspecting that he’s been helping Eve with her investigations - does he feel threatened?
Jake quickly realises that he’s the point of Wicklow’s focus and Wicklow is not a nice person to cross! So a real life and death situation has developed here. It’s literally Jake’s life that’s on the line.
Russell Brand’s character Ally, also has a fixation with Jake. How does Jake feel about that?
Russell’s character, Ally and Jake know each other through blind writing and you don’t have to look far to find instances where an unknown correspondent isn’t the person they say they are. It’s not necessarily a reflection on himself, but I think he’s aware of his own responsibility for the situation.
How does Jake react when Ally turns up unexpectedly?
He quickly recognises that Ally’s a damaged character and that he has to tread very carefully with someone as fragile as Ally because of the way he might respond. Ally’s not necessarily going to react in the same way that someone more connected to civilisation would and that makes him more dangerous in a way.
There’s been chemistry between Eve and Jake since the first episode. How does their relationship progress?
It’s very difficult to bring these two together in this series. The drama is very realistic about why they don’t get together. Both of the characters resist an obvious magnetic pull, partly because of Jake’s emotional retardation and Eve’s professional perspective and partly because of the maelstrom they find themselves in. They’re back and forward with each other like teenagers and it’s quite a positive reflection of how relationships often can be.
Jake becomes angry when he discovers that his mother has been mistreated in the nursing home. Does his rage frighten him considering his past?
He loses control and that’s partly why he keeps himself so isolated and why he doesn’t connect easily with others and with Eve. Jake doesn’t want to bond with people, he has to learn how to deal with those situations. It’s probably because he’s kept himself so isolated that he does overreact. He’s almost like a pressure cooker.
Have you enjoyed being back with the team?
Yes, it’s a real joy. It’s been one of my favourite jobs for quite a long time. Working with the cast and crew and with the characters has been great. It’s really been one of the highlights of the work I’ve done.
Did you enjoy working with the guest stars in this series?
Yes, very much so, as the quality of actors that were able to come in is great for us.
Personally, it would have been fantastic to work with them on a much longer and broader arc.
The regulars that have come in such as Pauline Quirke are great for keeping the chemistry within the police station. Phil Davis and Russell Brand have helped to keep it lively and fresh.
What do you have coming up next?
I’m doing a short film in Scotland. Later in the year there’s another Mummy picture happening which will be different and great fun for me.
